Are you looking to capture the essence of your special moments with a touch of nostalgia and authenticity? Film photography might be your perfect choice. In the digital age, the unique appeal of film photography stands out more than ever. Here’s why you should consider hiring a film photographer for your next event or project.
 

Unmatched Aesthetic Quality

The distinct look of film photography is one of its most celebrated features. Film captures a depth and warmth that digital cameras often struggle to replicate. The grain texture, color rendition, and dynamic range of film contribute to creating photos with a timeless feel. By choosing a film photographer, you’re opting for a visual quality that can elevate the atmosphere of your images, making them not just photos, but pieces of art.

Mindful and Intentional Shooting

Film photographers are known for their deliberate and thoughtful approach to capturing images. Unlike digital, film requires a more considered technique, often leading to more meaningful and carefully composed shots. This mindfulness in the shooting process can bring out the best in your event or session, ensuring that each photograph is not just taken but thoughtfully created.

Tangibility and Longevity

There’s something profoundly special about holding a physical print. Film photography inherently includes developing prints that you can touch, feel, and easily share without the need for screens. These prints also stand the test of time, offering a physical connection to memories that digital files on a computer or cloud cannot match. Plus, film negatives provide an archival record that can be reprinted and enjoyed for generations.

Why Choose We Photo & Film?
At We Photo & Film, led by Sebastian Isaia, we specialize in capturing your most cherished moments using the classic technique of film photography. Our expertise and passion for film ensure that every photo we take holds the potential to become a treasured keepsake. Based in Asheville, we’re here to bring the timeless beauty of film to your weddings, events, and special projects.

Ready to immortalize your moments with the authentic charm of the film? Contact us today to discuss how we can make your memories last forever, beautifully encapsulated through our lenses. To get in touch with us, please click here or give us a call at +1 (786) 626-9191. 

Unmatched Professionalism and Experience

Professional videographers bring years of experience and expertise to your wedding. They are skilled in capturing the right moments, from the subtle glances to the grand emotions, all with a professional touch. Their experience also means they can handle any lighting or weather condition that Asheville's diverse climate might present.

High-Quality Equipment and Techniques

With professional videographers, you’re not just paying for their presence; you’re investing in state-of-the-art equipment. High-definition cameras, professional editing software, and specialized stabilizing gear ensure that every frame of your wedding video is nothing short of spectacular.

Artistic Storytelling

A professional videographer does more than just record events; they tell your story. Asheville’s scenic beauty, combined with a videographer's artistic vision, can transform the day's moments into a cohesive, cinematic narrative that reflects your personal love story.

Stress-Free Experience

Planning a wedding can be stressful. By hiring a professional, you can have one less thing to worry about. Professional videographers handle all aspects of capturing your day, ensuring everything runs smoothly without needing your constant direction or intervention.

Lasting Memories in Motion

Unlike still photographs, videos capture the dynamic environment of your wedding—the sounds, the movements, the laughter, and the music. This creates a more immersive memory that lets you relive your special day in a way that photos alone cannot achieve.

Ready to Capture Your Big Day?
At We Photo & Film, we specialize in capturing the magic of your wedding day through our professional videography services in Asheville. Connect with us today to ensure that every moment of your celebration is immortalized in beautiful, cinematic detail. Let's make your wedding memories last a lifetime!

Book your wedding videographer now! To get in touch with us, please click here or give us a call at +1 (786) 626-9191. 
 

Long read again but it’s very important!
​
One of the most frequent questions that I get asked after my brides and grooms have booked me as their wedding photographer is, “Do we really need a wedding videographer?”

I want to share my opinion on this with you. Again, it’s a long read but will help you make a very important decision. I have found that this is the number 1 regret after a couple’s wedding day.

Regrets

Your wedding day is going to be one of the best days of your life. I don’t want any of my couples to have any regrets. Have a quick look through the top 10 regrets wedding couples have on their wedding day. Please avoid these problems!

I asked some of the best videographers in Ireland and one of my past brides for their answer to this big question –

Do we need a wedding videographer?

Here is what they had to say. I think it’s great to hear the answer from these different points of view:

• The wedding photographer’s point of view.
• The wedding videographer’s point of view.

Photographer’s Point of View

Wedding couples absolutely want a wedding photographer to capture the magical moments on their wedding day. That is never in question! But when it comes to the wedding videographer and as costs of the wedding begin to stack up, wedding couples question if they really need their wedding day filmed? Will we ever watch the video? Is this a cost that we can avoid?

As I’m planning my own wedding day I have thought about these exact questions a lot.

I remember a time when wedding day videos were super boring. It was almost impossible to convince anyone to watch the full two hours, until the very end. It was a snooze-fest!!!

Ok, you can still find a few very old-fashioned videographers but most wedding videographers in the business these days are very creative and produce excellent work.

​Here are my top four reasons for having a wedding videographer:

• A video is not only moving pictures but it also captures sound. Would you like to hear the speeches from your wedding day in years to come? What about revisiting a special conversation between your beloved parent or grandparent after they have passed away. Photographs will not capture those moments in the same way as video can.
• Sometimes the wedding videographer can capture moments that the wedding photographer has missed.
• You will watch your wedding day video after your wedding day and get to relive the moments as they happened. Seeing each scene unfold recreates those memories for you in a way that a photograph simply cannot. If you choose a wedding videographer whose style you like you will get years of enjoyment from your wedding video.
• Wedding videographers are very nice guys! :)

Two’s Company… Three’s a Crowd
Would a Videographer Get in the Way?

It’s very important to know who you are booking and how they work. Are they good at working with the wedding photographer? Can they seamlessly blend into the background?

I always recommend having your wedding photographer suggest a wedding videographer that he/she is used to working with.

But to summarise: If you have two people who work in the same way on your wedding day then there will be no problem at all. There will be a smooth flow to the wedding photoshoot and the two professions can complement one another. In fact, a talented videographer can even help your wedding photographer!

What if the Couple are Camera-shy?

The majority of the wedding videographers that I work with are not IN YOUR FACE with the camera and avoid the CHEESE factor that can make people feel uncomfortable.

I know what a torture it can be to have someone constantly asking for big smiles to the camera and to do funny or unnatural poses :)

The wedding videographers that I work with respect your wedding day and they record YOUR WEDDING DAY. They are not interested in creating their own vision of your wedding day.

In fact, if one of my wedding couples confides in me that they are camera shy, I can give them a 100% guarantee that the wedding videographer that I recommend will not be an issue! – ( have more than 50 names to fit all budgets)

In my experience, when the wedding photographer and wedding videographer are working smoothly together, it helps the couple in front of the camera to relax. Remember, we want you to enjoy your photo shoot and to have some fun. Before you know it, you will feel at ease and you might even find yourself striking a pose that Naomi Campbell would envy!

Costly Savings

As hard as it may be, don’t overthink your budget. A Wedding Video will last forever and it will capture your special day in a way that nothing else can – it will be worth every penny in a few years time! Especially, when your children want to watch your wedding day, or when your grandchildren want to see it on your Ruby Wedding Anniversary. For me, these memories and moments are priceless!

THE BIGGEST MISTAKE!!!

The biggest mistake that I see wedding couples making are when they book someone that does not have experience. They have left this booking to the last minute and are desperate to have ANYONE video their wedding day. Wedding videographers that have a strong reputation and trustworthy testimonials from wedding couples are already booked.

A lack of experience can cause a lot of problems during the wedding day for the wedding couple and the wedding photographer. I have outlined these problems in more detail here:

If you book a very good wedding photographer or a wedding photographer whose work and style you love, and then last minute, you decide that you want to book a wedding videographer that is cheap because you have little to no budget left…

STOP !!!

This cheap -( last minute ) booking can be very costly. An inexperienced wedding videographer can cause so many problems. Not only are you risking a poor quality wedding video, but you are also risking having your professional wedding photographer interrupted by an inexperienced videographer.

If your wedding videographer has no real experience and works completely differently to the way in which your professional and LOVED wedding photographer then you will never get 100% from the wedding photographer that you have booked.

Why?

The reason is very simple. An inexperienced wedding videographer will jeopardise the work of the wedding photographer.

If your budget is tight for the wedding videographer please contact Your wedding photographer –  He/she can recommend someone who can be trusted to do a good job.

If you don’t use this approach you would be better off spending the money for extra champagne or on your honeymoon!!! :)

I ASKED A FEW WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHERS TO ANSWER THIS BIG QUESTION AND SHARE SOME VIDEOS – DO I REALLY NEED A WEDDING DAY VIDEO AND WHY?

• A videographer will capture your personal story, the expressions of the wedding guests (which you definitely won’t have seen) as they witness all the important moments of the day, the exchange of the vows and the unique and wonderful mood of the whole day.

• As the newlyweds, you will be the constant centre of attention, chatting to friends and relatives, listening to the speeches and having lots of fun. However, in the midst of all the entertaining you might miss certain moments, or some of the speeches may fade from your memory. A videographer will make sure that all the important moments are captured on film, so that you can refresh your memory (and everyone else’s) any time!

• Consider this; if you had the option, would you watch your parents’ or your grandparents’ wedding video? Your children will definitely love the opportunity of seeing you on your wedding day, as well as their grandparents and family friends having fun!

• Having a film of your special day could signal the start of a new tradition! The two of you could re-watch your wedding on every anniversary, reflecting back on the first day that started your life as a married couple and toasting your achievements with some bubbles.

The only real disadvantage of a videographer is the price, which may stretch your budget, as the average price tends to be around £1000 for a fully edited wedding video. However, even if your budget will not reach the target, no matter how much you stretch it, Bridebook is here to offer you some great tips and potential alternatives.

• Videographers tend to have a number of packages (the amount of hours they are hired for, the editing, the number of DVDs offered), available at different prices. Making sure you choose the right package for you could mean saving the necessary money and still creating a beautiful time capsule of your day.

• Another, slightly more risky, option is going to a film school and hiring one of the students. Film academies have a lot of talent, so make sure you choose the right one for you by looking through their portfolio.

• It is always a great idea to involve your guests in filming – maybe allocate certain parts of the day to certain people. Mobile cameras are so advanced and so clear that they may be a great alternative, as well as providing you with endless viewpoints. Similarly, you can use a GoPro; a savvy bride attached hers to the bouquet, which resulted in a creative and unique film of her special day. This may not have the polished result of a professional videographer, but it can always be perfected through free tools like iMovie, which allow for a soundtrack to be placed over the film, giving you all the control over the footage of your special day.

Whatever option you choose, you will end up with emotional, hilarious and special footage from your big day and that’s worth having – in our minds.

Happy Planning!

Not investing in a professional wedding videographer is the no.1 regret of so many couples, but why?

So yes, I (Charlene) am a wedding videographer and this may seem like a totally biased post so let me share my personal experience too.

We nearly didn’t have a wedding video. We were weeks away and I was getting ever so nervous that we would go on to regret not having our very own wedding video.

My husband, like a lot of us, was very anti wedding video. His comparison was it being similar to a Peter Andre ITV2 documentary having cameras follow us around and annoying all the guests.

For me it was genuinely hating hearing and seeing myself on screen. I hate my voice! BUT, having seen the value in old home movies I hoped I could essentially get over myself so we could have our very own home movie!

Long story short, I managed to persuade him and we had some video guys I knew in the corporate world film it and I edited it. I LOVE my films, despite in hindsight wishing we’d captured things like the morning I definitely passed those regrets on to my future couples when I did start making wedding videos for others!

Did it feel like an ITV 2 reality doc..? Nope.

Did I hate watching myself back? Hmmm…at first I did! But 10 years on, I massively regret not putting my voice on there and I LOVE sharing it with our daughter.

Our wedding video’s true value will only grow as the years go on.

So WHY do 75% of couples NOT book a wedding videographer?

Budget.

Thinking they won’t watch their wedding video.

Fear of being filmed.

I think sometimes even a bit of all of those. But if you only realise near your wedding date that you want a video or may go on to regret not having one, it really can cause a few challenges with the wedding budget!

What about getting over ‘the fear’?

Is that even possible?
Getting over a fear of being filmed in time for your wedding day?

If, like me, you hate the idea of being filmed, hate the idea of having cameras follow you round and certainly hate the idea of watching yourself back how would you ever get over that enough to go on to have your wedding day filmed?

Why is it after the wedding day so many couples go on to regret not having a wedding video, despite not wanting to watch themselves back?

For the camera shy, even after the day they soon realise it’s much more than seeing themselves on the big (or small) screen. It’s more than the two of them…

• It’s about the feel of the day
• The nerves
• The emotions
• The connections
• The love, the laughter and seeing all the bits you didn’t get to soak up on the day
• Seeing past you saying your vows during the wedding ceremony and everyone else’s tears and smiles in the crowd
• Seeing your best friend fighting back the tears as she sees you in your dress for the first time
• Or maybe your Nan smiling up at you proudly
• Or your Dad giving your Mum’s hand a squeeze as she watches you getting married

There are so many moments that happen on a wedding day that even as a videographer I couldn’t predict what we’ll capture. But, we can read people well thanks to our experience of filming so many north west UK wedding videos and that’s what you’re investing in…

The fear of having a videographer film you on your wedding day can be very real but the fact of not being able to relive your wedding day again is also very real.

Wedding Videographer Regrets – The Fear Is Real!

So, how can you get over ‘the fear’ before it’s too late and you become the friend telling someone you regret not getting a wedding videographer to film your day?

Well you may be excited to hear I (Charlene) wrote a little FREE guide just for you! Because I have that experience of almost not having a wedding video, and because I’ve gone on to film so many weddings across Liverpool and Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria with Love Gets Sweeter, I have so much advice I want to share!

For the camera shy, the folks who feel really uncomfortable about the idea of being filmed or if you’re not sure it’s for you – it’s certainly worth a read.

This FREE guide is for the couple who would love to relive their wedding day and not have to worry about whether they look comfortable in front of the camera. You don’t even have to be in the north west UK – the wedding videography guide is for everyone.

If you’d love my Top 5 tips on how to get over the fear of being filmed for your wedding video see below!

This is something I wrote to help you see it’s about more than just the two of you (in the best possible way!) and to find ways to help your wedding video experience go from scary to totally relaxed and maybe even enjoyable!

If you’d like to have a read then all you need to do is sign up below and you’ll get a special link to download yourself a copy of my FREE guide ‘Wedding Video Fears – Get Over Your Fear Of Being Filmed’

I do hope you find it super helpful and it helps you work out if having a wedding video is for you!

The Current State of Wedding Photography and videography

The Changing Landscape of Wedding Documentation

Wedding photography and videography have come a long way from traditional posed shots and static video footage. Today, couples desire a more authentic and immersive experience that captures the raw, unscripted moments of their big day. As a result, photojournalism has gained immense popularity, offering a candid and emotional storytelling approach.

The Rise of Photojournalism in Weddings

Wedding Photographer: The Storyteller Behind the Lens

Photojournalism in weddings involves documenting moments as they happen, without interference or staging. It’s about weaving a narrative through images, capturing genuine emotions, laughter, tears, and all the beautiful imperfections that make your day unique.

The Power of Visual Storytelling

Why Photography and Videography Go Hand in Hand

Photography and videography, when combined, offer a comprehensive and immersive storytelling experience. While photography freezes moments in time, videography adds motion, sound, and emotion. Together, they create a treasure trove of memories.

Asheville, NC: A Haven for Candid Moments

Asheville, NC: The Perfect Backdrop for Photojournalistic Bliss

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, NC, provides a breathtaking setting for weddings. Its natural beauty, rustic charm, and intimate venues make it a haven for couples seeking genuine moments and candid emotions.

South Florida: A Tropical Paradise for Photojournalistic Weddings

For those dreaming of a beachfront celebration, South Florida offers a tropical paradise. With its sandy shores, vibrant culture, and year-round sunshine, it’s an ideal location for capturing the essence of your love story.

Nationwide Availability: Bringing Your Love Story to Life Anywhere

Love knows no boundaries, and neither should your memories. Our photography and videography services are available nationwide, ensuring that your unique love story is documented with the same passion, creativity, and authenticity, no matter where your journey takes you.

Risks, Rewards, and Motivation in Wedding Documentation

Navigating the World of Wedding Memories

While the rewards of wedding documentation are abundant, it’s essential to understand the challenges that come with capturing raw and candid emotions.

The Risks and Challenges

Unpredictable Moments: Candid moments are spontaneous and fleeting, making them a challenge to capture. However, our experienced team knows how to anticipate and seize these precious moments.

Coordinating Photography and Videography: Ensuring that both mediums work seamlessly together can be a logistical challenge. We have a dedicated team that specializes in this coordination to provide you with the best results.

Balancing Artistry and Candidness: It’s essential to strike the right balance between artistic creativity and capturing real emotions. Our passion for storytelling drives us to excel in both aspects.

The Rewards and Motivation

Timeless Memories: The ultimate reward is creating a timeless visual narrative of your love story.

Emotional Impact: We’re motivated by the tears of joy, heartfelt laughter, and emotional connection our work evokes.

Preserving Authenticity: Our motivation lies in preserving the authenticity and raw beauty of your wedding day.

Preserving Your Love Story with We Photo & Film

In conclusion, investing in both wedding photography and videography is the key to preserving your love story in all its authenticity and emotion. Whether you’re celebrating your special day in Asheville, NC, South Florida, or anywhere else across the nation, we’re here to help you create a treasure trove of memories.

Get in Touch with Us Today!

To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. To get in touch with us, please click here or give us a call at +1 (786) 626-9191.

The Essence of Wedding Videography

Wedding Videography: A Pinnacle of Your Love Journey

Your wedding day is a culmination of love, joy, and commitment. It’s a day filled with priceless moments that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. While photographs capture the still frames, wedding videography adds motion, sound, and emotion to your memories. It allows you to relive the laughter, tears, and all the beautiful nuances of your big day.

The Magic of Cinematic Wedding Videography

Cinematic Wedding Videography: Crafting Your Love Story

Cinematic wedding videography is more than just recording events; it’s about weaving a narrative that reflects your unique love story. It’s an art form that combines storytelling, creativity, and technical expertise to create a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film.

Why Choose Cinematic Wedding Videography?

Capturing Every Emotion: A Journey Beyond Photography

Photographs freeze moments in time, but cinematic wedding videography adds depth and dimension. It captures the nervous anticipation before the vows, the heartfelt toasts, and the twinkle in your eyes as you dance together for the first time as a married couple. It’s the closest you can get to reliving your wedding day.

Asheville, NC: Where Romance Meets Nature

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, NC, provides a picturesque backdrop for your wedding. Its lush forests, rolling hills, and charming venues offer a dream setting for a rustic yet elegant celebration of love. Our team knows these landscapes like the back of our hands, ensuring we capture every enchanting moment.

South Florida: A Tropical Paradise for Your Wedding

For couples seeking a more tropical ambiance, South Florida is a sun-kissed haven. With its pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and luxurious resorts, it’s a top choice for destination weddings. Whether you’re exchanging vows by the ocean or dancing under the palm trees, our videographers will preserve the magic of your South Florida wedding.

Nationwide Services: Bringing Your Love Story Anywhere

Love knows no bounds, and neither do we. Our cinematic wedding videography services extend beyond North Carolina and Florida. We’re ready to travel to your dream wedding location, ensuring that your unique love story is captured with the same creativity and passion, no matter where you say, "I do."

The Challenges and Rewards of Cinematic Wedding Videography

Navigating the World of Wedding Videography

While cinematic wedding videography offers unparalleled rewards, it’s essential to understand the challenges that come with it. From equipment and logistics to capturing the right moments, here’s a glimpse into what goes on behind the lens.

The Risks and Challenges

Technical Expertise: Capturing cinematic wedding footage requires top-notch equipment and technical skills. Our team is well-equipped with the latest gear to ensure we don’t miss a beat.

Unpredictable Elements: Weather, lighting, and unforeseen events can pose challenges. However, our experienced videographers know how to adapt and make the most of any situation.

Balancing Act: We strive to be unobtrusive while capturing candid moments. Our goal is to document your day without becoming the center of attention.

The Rewards and Motivation

Creating Timeless Memories: The reward of crafting a cinematic masterpiece that you’ll treasure forever is unparalleled.

Emotional Impact: We’re motivated by the smiles, tears, and laughter our films evoke. Your emotional connection is what drives us to excel.

Personal Fulfillment: For us, it’s not just a job; it’s a passion. Every wedding is a chance to create art and tell a unique love story.

We Photo & Film: Your Cinematic Love Story Awaits

Our Cinematic Approach to Wedding Videography

At this point, you’ve learned about the magic of cinematic wedding videography, the beauty of Asheville, NC, and South Florida as wedding destinations and the challenges and rewards of our craft. Now, it’s time to introduce ourselves and how we can make your love story unforgettable.

Crafting Your Love Story with We Photo & Film

Our Expertise in Wedding Videography

We Photo & Film is a team of passionate and experienced wedding videographers. We specialize in capturing candid and raw emotions through the art of cinematic storytelling. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, we’ve been privileged to document countless love stories across the United States.

How We Can Solve Your Wedding Videography Challenges

Technical Excellence: We invest in state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the highest quality footage.

Adaptability: Our team is skilled in adapting to changing conditions, ensuring your day is captured beautifully, rain or shine.

Unobtrusive Presence: We understand the importance of blending into the background while capturing your special moments discreetly.

Your Love Story, Our Cinematic Vision

In conclusion, cinematic wedding videography is the ultimate way to relive the emotions, laughter, and love of your wedding day. Whether you’re in Asheville, NC, South Florida, or anywhere else nationwide, We Photo & Film is here to turn your love story into a cinematic masterpiece.

Get in Touch with Us Today!

To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. To get in touch with us, please click here or give us a call at +1 (786) 626-9191.

So if your nerves start to fizz when you think about what to wear, don’t worry. This is SO normal! Before you lose sleep to late nights spent online shopping--putting articles of clothing in your cart only to take them out again--let’s talk about what works and what doesn’t.

Number one thing I want you to remember? Being comfortable is EVERYTHING. You should look and feel like yourself, first and foremost.

Becomfy

It’s not uncommon for people to want to shop for new, sparkly, fabulous clothes to wear to a photoshoot. And that’s totally fine - if that’s your jam. But let’s talk about comfort a little more. Do you think you’d be more comfortable in your favourite t-shirt and jeans or a new clingy little black dress? The best route is usually to go with something that’s tried and true. Something you know moves with you and hugs you in all the right places. Don’t get me wrong - it 100% does not have to be jeans and a t-shirt. You can glam it up a bit more if that’s what you fancy. But if authenticity is what you’re after, you’re going to have to show up as yourself. And if you want to capture this time of your life in all its glory, then it’s about the feeling of being in your own skin.

Match Your Outfit To Location And Season

If you’re wearing a fancy ball gown in your living room, the viewer might assume you’re going to prom. Don a little sundress number in a snowy field and the viewer might suffer from a crippling amount of pity for you. You and I will be collaborating on telling your story together, so let’s get this right.

Plan your outfits around what you know about the conditions at the location we’ll be shooting at. You’ll want to be warm enough (or cool enough!), have pain-free feet, and look relatively native to your environment. For at home sessions, slip into your comfiest comfies and rock that (pants optional). The idea is to authentically capture you wherever you are. Think through your clothing choices logically based on location, vibe, and comfort level.

Bring Multiple

Gather up 2 or 3 outfits that you feel amazing in and we can play around with different combinations on the day. I’m not trying to photocopy trends in all their boring hues, I’m looking for the youngest you. Bring things that help you express yourself--I want you to grace my lens with your true, full personality! Providing options helps me to make sure your threads compliment the environment - keeping the focus on you, where it should be!

Lead With Personality

I’m up for it all. If you’re in a heavy metal band and want to smash some things and scream at the sky, throw on your best concert attire and count me in. If you’re a drama kid at heart and live for the spotlight, I’ll help you turn your front porch into a stage and feed you the lines you’ve forgotten. If you’re a jeans and a t-shirt kinda person, let’s work with that. I want your shoot to be different from everyone else’s. I want it to be you.

Incorporate Texture And Movement

Pick fabrics that move and flow with you. Ones that add a cosy texture, or get picked up by the wind, filter the late afternoon sun, and glow in the morning light. Natural fibres like linen, cotton, or wool are amazing. Avoid stiff-seeming garments with collars as they look a bit too formal and often get tucked in weird spots and need adjusting.

Colour Scheming

Aim for neutrals, earthy tones, and metallics. These colours compliment the outdoor environment almost anywhere you go and look damn fine as a printed, framed photograph. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating for a beige world of quiet and inoffensive colours. By neutrals, I just mean softer tones. Primary colours are incredibly striking, but can sometimes have the effect of detracting from the main subject (which is you). So for example, instead of electric blue, go for something closer to sky blue. Instead of bright orange, opt for ochre or apricot.

A rule of thumb here is to choose to either complement your natural environment or contrast it. A mustard dress in a deep green forest will look epic, whereas a bright pink, patterned dress doesn’t really fit in with your surroundings. It totally depends on what you’re looking for! For families it’s best to keep your colour scheme limited to four colours. You can choose one person to wear a feature colour and have everyone else’s outfits complement that.

Colour Theory

Remember the colour wheel from 6th grade art class? Maybe you’ve gladly left your middle school days in the past, but the colour wheel comes in handy when making good colour decisions (aka planning what to wear). The colour wheel is a great reference point when trying to figure out what colours look a bit weird together and what colours are a match made in heaven.

Complementary Colours

These colours, the ones that look incredible together, are called complementary colours. They complement each other and create a visual harmony. They’re salt and pepper, Bonnie and Clyde, peanut butter and jelly. Complementary colours sit across from one another on the colour wheel (i.e. blue and orange, red and green, yellow and purple). Below are some examples that show us how complementary colours do special things for the big picture.

Examples Of A Complementary Template

They complement each other and create a visual harmony. They’re salt and pepper, Bonnie and Clyde, peanut butter and jelly. Complementary colours sit across from one another on the colour wheel (i.e. blue and orange, red and green, yellow and purple).

Analogous Colors

But it’s not all about contrast. We’re all built so differently and respond to colour combinations differently. For those less taken by the ‘pop,’ analogous colours could be the way to go. Analogous colours are next to each other on the colour wheel, and can be quite soothing to the eye. Think of the jungle and all of the lush variations of green, or the ocean and the infinite hues of blue. Below, we’ve rounded up some photos that illustrate how analogous colours work together beautifully

Complimentary , Good Matching , Bad

You don’t want to create the illusion of being your partner’s siamese twin. When multiple people wear the same colour, sometimes their matching outfits blend together so much that you can’t really see any of them properly. The viewer can’t tell where one person begins and another one ends. They turn into one uniform blob. In order for the aesthetics of your photograph to really sing, you want to find complementary outfits that showcase a variety of colors, textures, accessories, patterns, and tones. Complement the other people in the photograph as well as your surroundings. The idea is to have everything look good together without everything looking the same.

Be Careful With Pattern & Prints

Avoid large bold patterns as they often dominate the photograph and detract attention from your beautiful face. Usually, subtle smaller patterns work best. Flannels or a light floral print are great when they complement the location. But less is definitely more with this one, try to limit yourself to one pattern at a time. Matching patterns is a tricky task, and it’s super difficult to do well. If you’re not quite sure what category your patterned clothes fall into, shoot me an email or send me a text and I’ll be happy to weigh in.

Layer Up

Wearing layers is great form (and function). Not only does combining layers and textures create more visually interesting photographs, but it preps you for all sorts of weather conditions, too! Think jackets, cardigans, hats, scarves, tights, and headbands

What To Do About Logos

Much like crazy patterns, clothing with writing or logos on it tends to be a bit distracting. We’re not getting paid for Adidas’ not so-subtle product placement. However, if the logo or phrase is tasteful (read: not tacky), in theme with the shoot, and fits your personality, I’m all for it. Here are some examples of logos that work.

The fine art of Accessorising.

Hats, sunglasses, socks, and jackets are a great way to jazz up your accessory game. Throw some fun extras into your bag but avoid large distracting pieces. If you couldn’t tell by now, I’m interested in shooting you (not your clothes or your bling). Watches are a bit of a weird one, especially in couple sessions. The big fat circle face of a watch is particularly apparent when people are holding each other’s faces and bringing them in for some sugar. Best to leave the watch at home unless its sentimental.

Shoes. Shoes. Shoes.

You can’t have come this far, painstakingly planning your outfit, only to stop at your ankles. Shoes are a key part of a look and ideally complement the rest of the outfit. If you wear heels like a pro, I definitely don’t have the authority to tell you not to do that! But if you, like the rest of us mere mortals, find heels to be moderately uncomfortable, then do yourself a favour and ditch ‘me. In most cases, we’ll be stomping around on some relatively uneven terrain and I don’t want you spraining an ankle--not on my watch. I’ll probably be giving you some energetic prompts to follow, too, so you’ll want to be ready for action.

Select the right shoes based on the location, and consider what you’d normally wear if I wasn’t following you around with a camera. Being barefoot makes sense on the beach, and boots are beautiful in the mountains. Leather is great for boots, and know that sandals win over flip flops by a long shot. Always consider context when choosing footwear for both aesthetic appeal and practicality

Let’s Talk Props

Props don’t have to scream ‘PROP!” Go for the subtle things that accentuate your personality and help to tell a story about your life. Think pets, an instrument, surfboards, an umbrella, bike, or even a beer. Avoid the cheese as much as possible. Umbrella. Bike . Skateboard . Wine . Pets .

Make Up And Hair Do's (And Dont's)

So this is totally your call! But, if I may… I would suggest cultivating a bit of the French je ne sais quoi that balances elegance and ease so well. I want you to look like you. So do whatever you need to do to feel confident and beautiful. Hands tell such a story about who you are and where you’ve been and play a crucial role in portrait photography. Sometimes photographs magnify bright nail polish, chipped manicures, and dirty fingernails. And once you see it, you can’t un-see it--your eye just keeps on zooming in on that one bit of the photograph. It’s really distracting. Treat yourself to a little subtle manicure or make sure your nails are neat and tidy before the shoot.

As for hair… Oh boy. I’m a sucker for the way a wild mane blows in the breeze. Up-dos are alright, and I totally get it--it’s so easy to throw your hair up! But when it comes to saving a moment and putting it in your pocket, hair down is the way to go. With your hair down, you get movement, you get interest, you get some perfect slices of imperfection in the best possible way

LETS RECAP

• Dress for the season.
• Dress for the location.
• Compliment - don’t match (unintentionally).
• Wear something comfortable that you feel like yourself in.
• Natural fibres and earthy colours look amazing in most settings.
• Avoid large prints, logos, and patterns (unless it helps tell your story).
• Throw some accessories like a hat or denim jacket into your bag.

What to Wear Guide

Congratulations, you’ve decided to marry your person! And congratulations to me, too, because you’ve chosen me to join you for the ride. Words cannot describe how honored I am to be a part of your love story. I can’t wait to get to know you, to capture your wedding day, and to join you for a reception boogie. There’s so much to think about between now and then, and I’m sure your heads are already spinning - making decisions about things you didn’t even realize existed. So to make it a little easier, I’ve created this to help guide you through the whole process!

These are all the things that as a photographer I’m thinking about. I’ve made it as comprehensive as possible so that you spend less time worrying about the details and more time getting excited for your wedding! Think of this as less of a rule book and more of a guide, aimed at preparing you as much as possible so that when The Big Day rolls around, you can kick back and enjoy the champagne (and the presence of all your nearest and dearest, of course).

Engagement Session

If the thought of making lovey eyes at your fiance in front of a camera makes you want to never be out in public again, then it’s probably a good idea to book an engagement session. Not only is it an incredible way for us to have a bit of fun together without the pressure of a timeline or all your guests, but spending some time together calms the nerves, inspires confidence in front of the camera, and allows us to create beautiful keepsakes in a chilled atmosphere. Plus who doesn’t love a new profile pic! We’ll get to know each other better, come away from it having a better sense of how we work together, and be ready to roll for wedding day

Bonus:

You’ll have beautiful images to add to wedding invitations or save-the-date cards!

Fancy dress

Traditionally dubbed ‘Bridal Shoot,’ this session is perfect for getting beautiful photos of either brides or grooms in their wedding best before (or even after!) the big day. No time pressure, no waiting guests, no stress. Just you, me, my camera, and a creative adventure. Get a good trial run for your makeup or dress or tux or shoes, pick a location you love (remember it doesn’t have to be anywhere near your ceremony venue!), and I’ll meet you there!

What To Expect

I believe it’s my job to make sure that you feel calm, authentic, and engaged during a shoot with me and I will go above and beyond to ensure this is the case. I will always direct and pose you so you don’t feel or look awkward in any of your photographs.

I use an app called Unscripted for posing inspiration, so together we can plan out different poses that feel great for you to do (or, alternatively, we improvise and look at Unscripted when we get stuck). Either way, just know that I’ve got your back. We will make magic together, I promise!

As a wedding photographer, I’ve gone to a fair few weddings. I’ve seen it all - the cold feet, the wardrobe malfunction, the teary grandpa, and at least thirteen pairs of stashed stilettos in a bush. But one thing that I know for sure, is that regardless of how much planning you do, the wedding will always unfold as it’s meant to. People seem to swing between being extremely excited and extremely overwhelmed as they’re going through the stages of wedding planning- -so if you’re feeling either of those things, know that this is completely normal!

Want to plan the wedding of your dreams and keep your sanity, too?

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FROM ME TO YOU:

• Tune out the noise that says you should invite people based on social obligations! This is your day, you should stay true to how you want to do it.
• There is no shame in asking for help. If you need to practice asking for help in small incremental steps, start now so that you’re a pro at calling in some big favours in the leadup to the wedding. And, guess what? People who love you will be thrilled to help!
• Hold on tight, and enjoy the process. It’ll rush by faster than you know it.

Timelines

Timelines make your day flow smoothly, giving your guests, staff, and vendors a general idea of when and where everything will pan out. With timelines as with weddings, there is no one-size fits-all approach so it’s super important to make a timeline that works for you. If you have a wedding planner, they’ll be able to help you create something that aligns with your vision of the perfect day. But one thing to remember is that things almost always take longer than you think they will. Allow some time in between events so you have a second to breathe, kiss your partner, and drink some water. I always make sure to keep a 30 minute window of time before the ceremony without any photos to give you a chance to tame those fly aways or eat a quick bite!

Try to structure your timeline so that we’re shooting the formal couple portraits at golden hour, just before the sun sets, with that beautiful afternoon glow all around you. There’s nothing like this time of day to capture the mood and magic of the moment. Planning your wedding day with this in mind is super helpful and makes my job a whole lot easier. Reach out when you’re ready to discuss this and I’ll talk you through why it’s absolutely necessary! Want to just flow with the day and not worry about portraits? No problem. Let’s talk about doing your fancy dress shoot on a different day.

Getting Ready

At once calm and chaotic, the getting ready part of the day has all of the feels crammed into a couple of nervous and tender hours. With all of the action buzzing around the bride and groom, it’s easy to find yourself in a really chaotic, crowded, and cluttered space that inadvertently adds stress to the situation. Considering the right space for this part of the day is more important than most people think, which is why I recommend thinking about this early.

The factors that contribute to me getting good photos are also the ones that contribute to a more relaxed day for everyone. Here’s what I’ve learned we need:

• A clutter-free space
• Good natural light and lots of it! TIP: A big window is ideal when taking portraits of people getting their makeup done. (The makeup artist will love the extra light, too!)
• A space with an interior style that suits your own. If at home, don’t forget to get rid of all of the day-to-day clutter like electric fans or socks or dog beds. Fill the space with flowers, your favourite things, and just a couple of your favourite people.
• Enough time (at least one hour for each partner, but longer if you’re rolling with a big crew). I’ll be sure to show up right as the finishing touches are being placed, then head on over to your fiance to spend some time with them too. TIP: A great way to maximize my time is to put all of the things aside that I need for the detail shots. The ring, the shoes, the cuff links, the love letters - put it all aside so I can arrange them and swap through quickly.
• While each of you are getting ready, chances are you’ll be filled with nerves. As you won’t have each other for comfort in these moments, consider writing a love letter for your fiance to read before the ceremony. It’ll be a nice little keepsake, make for some incredibly emotion filled images before the ceremony, and help build the excitement in the lead up to the ‘I-do’s’.

First Look

First looks are probably hands down one of the sweetest new wedding traditions, shaking off old school traditions that say you shouldn’t see each other until you’re on opposite ends of the aisle. They kick up the romance a couple notches, allowing you two to share a private moment without your guests, and allowing me to capture some of the unfolding awe and excitement between you

They’re a really fun opportunity for all of us to put our heads together and get creative, but they’re also so time sensitive. Planning is key to make sure that the light’s right and I can be in the right spot to capture the surprise and wonder of the moment. When you’re ready, let’s talk about where you’ll each stand, where I’ll be, and how we can tee everything up so the shot is absolutely perfect.

I’m a big fan of first looks because they ease the pressure of portraits during the ceremony knowing we’ve got a few good ones in the bag. As soon as the ceremony’s over you can loosen the tie, kick off the heels, and get silly with your friends and family.

Portraits You lovers

It’s guaranteed that you’ll walk away from your wedding day with so many incredible memories in your pockets. What’s not guaranteed is that you’ll walk away from your wedding day with a portrait of yourselves that you’re both absolutely in love with--unless we set some time aside for it. So let’s give ourselves at least an hour (preferably an hour of the blue or golden persuasion), in a beautiful pre-scoped locale to make some magic together. And, for the record, I’m not opposed to sneaking away for portrait time more than once throughout the day.

There’ll be plenty of time for us to become friends before your big day, but if you’re a little unsure about spending time in front of the camera, let me know. Most people have some reservations about it and I always do my best to get to know you so that I can give you the kind of direction that feels authentic to you. I’ve got lots of prompts up my sleeve for the shy and the rambunctious alike, so you’ll never be left wondering what to do with yourselves.

Portraits like these allow you to create precious keepsakes, step back from the buzz, look into each other's eyes, and take a few grounding moments to yourselves.

Family Portraits

Depending on your own family constellation, there are any number of configurations we can photograph the wedding party in. Some with everyone in them, some with each of your immediate then extended families, and some variations of smaller and larger groups. One thing that’s absolutely necessary for this part of the day is that everyone knows it’s happening, everyone’s on board, and there’s someone (Wedding planner? Sibling? Best friend?) who knows who everyone is and can help me herd everyone in the right direction at the right time. Before the wedding we’ll sit down and write down a list of every single person we’ll need and where they should be at what time so we can fly through these and get everyone back to celebrating as quickly as possible! An ideal time to do this is immediately after the ceremony, but before the couple portraits. Once the reception starts, it’s hard to track everyone down (and likely we might capture hors d’orderves debris between someone’s teeth).

Wedding Party

If you have a fleet of bridesmaids or groomsmen (or both), it’s worth getting some images of everyone with the flowers and the dresses and the ties and the cute matching outfits. Just make sure people know what’s happening, and talk to the wedding planner so that they can put it in the schedule for the day - it’ll help everyone know where to be and when.

Ceremony & Reception

I’ll start by saying this: take things slow. With the kiss, with the walking, with the everything. Tell everyone else to do so, too. Resist the urge to rush through and just savour every moment! This allows me plenty of time to get the shot I need, too. reception

Unplugged Wedding

An unplugged wedding is not only an amazing opportunity for your guests to disconnect from their devices and to connect to the present moment but they also help me get unobserved shots of you and the rest of the ceremony. There are so many pivotal moments that happen in the blink of an eye - if someone jumps out in front of me with their iPhone while you and the love of your life have your first kiss as forever partners, chances are you’ll have a big iPhone shaped blur in the foreground and I’ll miss the shot.

It’s hard to ask people to keep their devices in their pockets. And although the people you’ve invited undoubtedly love and respect you, it can sometimes be hard to disentangle ourselves from our technology. Set out little reminders for your guests to help nudge them in the right direction. Make some cute signs to put up, add a note to the programs, and let your celebrant know so they can remind them before the ceremony begins. And tell them not to worry - I’m on the job of capturing some great images for everyone to take home.

Lighting

Whether your ceremony is indoor or outdoor, there are a few simple but effective things that can be done to make sure that all of the images sparkle as bright as your memories of your wedding day

If outdoor, let’s consider the following:

• What time is your wedding, and what will the lighting be like at that time? Can we ensure you’re both evenly lit? Will I be shooting into the sun? If we can make it so that I’m not, that’d be amazing.
• What will your background look like? Can we make it pretty? Will there be anything that could cast shadows onto your faces?
• If I have more physical space to play around with I’ll be able to get a nice mix of different kinds of shots. Close ups, details, wide-angles, and various candid guests.
• Elevate the composition of your shots by having a symmetrical space. If you say your vows under an arch or between an arbour, your images will have that extra little aesthetic oomph.

If indoor, let’s consider the following:

• What kinds of windows does your venue have? Do they use natural or artificial light? Sometimes artificial light can make things look really cold or clinical, but it’s possible to warm things up a bit by stringing up some warm festoon lights or candles.
• Are there any rules surrounding your place of worship (if this is where we’re having the ceremony) that I should know about? If you’re unsure, consult with your religious leader and ask them if they have any rules they’d like me to know about.
• Would you like me to avoid using flash?
• Do you have a preference as to how much I move around during the ceremony/reception? Would you like me to jump in the mosh or hang back?
• Different photographers have such different styles. Chances are, if you’ve booked me you have a feel for my vibe. I always do my best to be as emotionally aware as possible, but it never hurts to have a chat prior to the ceremony so that I’m across it all.

After The Ceremony . . .

You’ll probably get mobbed! Which is great and loving and so so fun, but I want to capture all of the tears and the hugs and the high-fives. So, if you can, try not to get mobbed in a tiny hallway or in front of the bathroom. Angle for a shady spot outside or a well-lit spacious room so I can be sure to capture the many happy moments in all their happy glory. If there’s a flower petal throw or bubble parade or an eco-confetti moment, let me know ahead of time so I can capture you guys grinning from ear to ear behind all of the airborne fragments.

Reception + Dinner

The more I know about the layout of the venue and the kind of lighting that will be used, the better prepared I’ll be to make sure all of the details line up in favour of amazing images.

From the details of where you’ll be sitting and what you have in the background, to where you’ll be in relation to the person giving speeches, all of this is super helpful for me to get a lay of the land and understand where to get the best shots. Will there be a sit-down dinner or will people be making their way around with snacks all night? Is it formal or more of a relaxed thing? If you’re having a DJ, will they be using their own lighting? The more fairy lights and candles and nondirectional lighting the better, multi-coloured disco strobes don’t look good on guests or their food!

Also, most people don’t like to be photographed while they’re eating, so this is a good time for me to grab a quick bite too and be well prepared for the rest of the night! It’s great to put in a request with the kitchen that I get my meal first so that I can eat before speeches start!

First DANCE & Exit

Whether choreographed and theatrical, or shy and a little clumsy, the first dance is one of the most tear-jerking moments of the day. For me to capture this perfectly, ask everyone to give you two some time before flooding the dance floor - I’d love to get snaps that contrast the quiet and the chaos equally. Ditch the cool, directional overhead lights in favour of sparklers, candles, and warm atmospheric lighting. A warm beam of light backlighting the two of you is a great addition as well. sparkler exit

If you’re planning a sparkler exit, make sure I get the memo about this! It works best if there’s a designated sparkler hander outer so that everyone’s sparklers are burning bright together! If you’ve booked a venue that doesn’t allow for a sparkler exit, you could opt for bubbles or eco confetti -- just let me know so I can ensure there’s enough light available for the shot. This is usually where my job ends, and I’ll leave everyone to party on into the wee hours while I head home super excited about all of the incredible moments I’ve witnessed throughout the day.

Photo Delivery

It takes me six weeks to select, edit, and deliver your gallery of photos after the wedding but I’ll be sure to sneak you a couple of previews within 48 hours so you can share them with family and friends while everyone’s still buzzing from the big day. When I eventually do hand over all of the images, it’s always such a special moment for everyone! A few of my couples have invited friends and family over for a special viewing event--it’s always amazing getting to relive that day with your nearest and dearest. Plus, any excuse to make a batch of popcorn is always welcome. Feel free to share your images with your guests so they can share them on their own social media. But please don’t forget to tag me! Not only does it help others find their way to my page, but it’s always so fun for me to see which snaps everyone loves most. Please refrain from adding filters when reposting (it goes against the rules laid out in my contract). If you want editing tweaks, please reach out.
If vendors want to use any of my images for their business pages, refer them to me and I can provide them with the gallery and photo rights.

Day after Session

If you opted out of the pre-wedding fancy dress shoot, an after-wedding session is a great way to get everyone together again and relive some of those memories (with a bonus honeymoon glow!). Don your dresses and suits and get any photos we missed taking on the day of the ceremony without the added time pressure. Some for the albums, some for the cards, and some for the ‘Gram.

Wedding Albums And Prints

How often do you flick back through the photos on your phone just to reminisce? If you’re anything like me, it doesn’t happen all that often. This is why I’m a firm believer in the photo album. A physical object, an heirloom, and a beautiful way to memorialize your special day. I can create a selection of photos or take your lead, but I’d love to work with you in creating an album that holds a special place in your home. I’ve taken the time to cultivate relationships with topnotch printers who render images faithfully and never compromise on quality. I’ll design it over the course of a couple of weeks, send it to you for approval, and get it back from the printers within three weeks

Thank You

I know that this has been a lot of information to digest, but please know that not all of it applies to every wedding. Sit down and have a discussion with your partner about what feels right for both of you, and don’t hesitate to get me on the line if you feel like you just need a human being to talk you through all of the text. I’m so grateful you chose me and I can’t wait for your big day to roll around so we can start capturing some beautiful memories together!

Let's Recap

• I will always direct and pose you so you don’t feel or look awkward in any of your photographs.
• Write love letters to one another to read while getting ready if you can.
• Give me the DL on lighting at the ceremony and reception.
• Don’t forget to talk to your celebrant or religious leader about their preferences and my role as a photographer during the ceremony.
• Slow down, don’t forget to breathe, take it all in, and have a good time.
• Provide snacks and water wherever possible.

Wedding Guide

• Plan Ahead: Avoid last-minute surprises by planning every aspect of your wedding day, from the ceremony to the reception.
• Choose the Right Photographer: Select a photographer whose style and personality fit your vision, and remember to review their portfolio to ensure their expertise.
• Communication is Key: Keep open communication with your photographer and inform them of your preferences, vision, and expectations.
• Be Prepared: Have all your wedding details ready on the day, such as your dress, shoes, and accessories so that the photographer can capture them seamlessly.
• Time Management: Allocate enough time for photography sessions, including portraits, candid moments, and group photos.
• Optimize Lighting: Take advantage of natural lighting during outdoor photo sessions and work with your photographer to ensure the best lighting setup for indoor shots.
• Capture Candid Moments: Some of the best wedding photos come from spontaneous, unplanned moments, so allow your photographer to capture these candid shots.
• Involve Your Bridal Party: Enlist your bridal party to help with photo logistics, from organizing group shots to carrying your veil.
• Relax and Have Fun: Don't let the day's stress consume you. Take a deep breath, relax, and have fun - this will reflect in your photos.
• Trust Your Photographer: Finally, trust that your photographer will capture the essence of your special day and tell your unique love story through their lens.

Following these ten tips will ensure that your wedding day is captured in the most beautiful and cinematic way possible. At We Photo & Film, we understand the importance of preserving your memories with the highest quality and personalized service. Reach out to us today, and let's bring your dream wedding to life through our breathtaking wedding photographer and videographer services in Florida.